§ 23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the circumstances under which Mr. Jabotinsky was convicted by a military court in 1920 to 15 years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that this was almost immediately afterwards reduced to one 405 year's imprisonment in the second division, and that Mr. Jabotinsky was amnestied and released, but subsequently appealed against the original sentence, as a result of which the proceedings of the military court were quashed with the exception of the finding that Mr. Jabotinsky had been guilty of being in possession of a revolver without a licence; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky entered into any undertaking never to return to Palestine?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe events referred to took place before the Colonial Office had any connection with Palestine; but I have ascertained that the facts are substantially as stated in the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I am not aware that Mr. Jabotinsky ever entered into the undertaking referred to.
§ Sir A. POWNALLIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the services rendered by Mr. Jabotinsky during the War, especially in regard to the formation of a Jewish battalion?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Jabotinsky went to Palestine and made a very violent incendiary speech—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is always giving information instead of asking questions.
§ Captain E. N. BENNETTIs it not a fact that a person deported from Palestine or any other country is ipso facto debarred from returning as and when he likes?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWas he deported?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs it not a fact that the sentence was quashed and never ought to have been passed, and the hon. Member's suggestion is, therefore, without foundation?